“Of course I stepped up. He was a bully and a thief ... Who does that guy think he is? No civility or respect? Inexcusable.” Kris sat back for a minute, thinking. “You said something, Kelne, when we had tea. I made a commitment a long time ago. What did you mean? Why am I here?”
Kelne took a deep breath. “You’ve heard about the ancient shaman and the work they did to keep Kalendra strong. Kalendra has seen hard times before.
“For safety, the shaman sent one person away to live on another planet, a reliable person they knew would keep their word. They wanted someone who would grow up outside the ancient training and arrive with fresh problem-solving skills. It’s been an exceptionally long time since that decision was made. You wouldn’t remember any of this.
“I don’t remember. Are you sure?”
“Before you left, the shaman gave you the gift of learning, so that you would absorb information quickly, instantly.”
Kris stood in silence, speechless.
Ivy walked over to Kris and placed a clear blue stone in his hand, then raised his hand to his heart. She placed her hands on his shoulders and encouraged him to relax. Kris closed his eyes.
In his mind’s eye, Kris saw his father’s London ticket stub flash in his dream and set his return to Kalendra in motion. He did not choose Paris. His eight-year-old self sent him to meet the old man in the train station. Once he embraced the man’s instructions, inexplicable feelings of déjà vu began. He saw the eagle’s eye flashand heard Edwardo say, Jonea reads energy waves in the universe. It’s an ancient art. The woman with deep green eyes knew his name and led him directly to the portal.
Kris opened his eyes and nodded.
He reached in his shirt pocket and pulled out the eagle, then he showed it to Tah.
“Does this remind you of something?”
She handled it carefully. “I can see old magic on this.” she said. Kris gave the eagle to Ivy.
“This explains why you healed so fast when you were blown off the ridge. It protected you.” Ivy turned to Sylvia and handed her the eagle.
“I have this too,” Kris said as he pulled the old carved bone toy the woman had given him.
Kelne handled the carving. “It makes more sense now,” he said.
“What?” Kris said.
“Kalendrian magic was woven into the wings of the eagle. I saw it when you first showed it to me. But this carving is different. It’s from a place no longer on the map, a land that’s been forgotten for a millennium, a mythical place that has only survived in our dreams,” he said. “Perhaps it will become significant again.”
“I still don’t understand,” Kris said.
“Changes have happened,” Kelne said. “That’s why I summoned you back. We need your genius and your help. From what Sylvia and Tah have said, we also need your magic. Do you know of the Wood Elves?”
“Flanders was looking for them,” Kris said, “The Maiden of the Forest made a request.”
“Interesting that he found you …”
“Why?”
“Come,” Kelne said. “One more quick stop on our way to Earth. Sylvia and Ivy, please join us.”
They walked outside and Kelne turned to Kris, “I understand you have an affinity for this forest,” he smiled.
“I can’t get enough of Kinizar Falls, but the whole forest makes me feel alive. It’s beyond words,” Kris said taking a breath and filling his lungs.
“Good,” Kelne smiled. He raised his staff high and it burned brightly.
The world was bright yellow and white for an instant. Kris blinked and saw they’d arrived at the intersection of two large rivers. They stood on the firm and fertile forest floor. Kris stood in awe, trying to absorb every single detail. He looked up and saw light filter through layers of transparent leaves, their intricate veins created a three-dimensional work of art. Ferns and mosses clung to stones and trees. Berries, flowers, and mushrooms thrived. He heard birds and small animals scurrying, then watched ants bringing food to their nests. Kris was overwhelmed with all the life surrounding him. Tears flowed from his eyes as Kris’s soul accepted the ancient forest’s cleansing bath. He felt himself transform; and a few distant memories stirred. His brown eyes turned a deep beautiful green.
Sylvia watched him stand with his hands out, facing the sun through the trees, as if trying to absorb the entire forest. She realized his magical radiant glow as an extension of the mist, the river, and the land here.
A tall, thin, ageless woman appeared. She had dark hair, brown eyes, and a gentle smile. She wore a long white lace robe and a wreath of flowers in her hair. She watched Kris take in the forest, while silently acknowledging Kelne, Tah, Sylvia and Ivy.
“I see you’ve made your way back,” she said to Kris. “Well done.”
He looked at her with a look of inquisitiveness. “Back,” he said. “When was I here before? It’s new to me, but it does feel like a home.”
“Flanders told me,” the Maiden of the Forest said. “I sent him to find the elves after an attempted robbery of the ancient Waterland crystals. He said he met a stranger with Sylvia. Shantini and Jetson had told me to expect you …” Kris turned and met Sylvia’s eyes. She nodded.
“There have been no elves in the Waterlands for a very long time,” the Maiden said. “They left when the Elven Mage was sent on an extremely important task. He left our world to absorb wisdom from another planet. They have remained deep in the Crystalline Forest for safety.”
Kris didn’t know how to comprehend her words. He was beginning to accept that he was from Kalendra before he was from Earth. He knew in his bones he belonged here. She just called him the Elven Mage. That would take some getting used to.
“Please,” Kelne said to the Maiden, “His return opened an essential portal. Now I need his help for a bit of emergency – related to those recent attacks. Tah, here is coming with Kris and myself to find safety on Earth. Sohm’s orders. We won’t be long.” Kris and Tah both nodded.
“Of course, I bid you good travels,” she said, bowing to Kris. “I will tell the others that the time has arrived for the elves to return to the Waterlands and re-establish their homes.”
Kris nodded and smiled at the Maiden.
“Please, before you go,” the Maiden said looking at Kelne, “take a simple gift from this land. See the powder blue stones in the water here?” Kris and Tah investigated the river and nodded. “Please choose one.” Tah and Kris knelt and selected their stones. They each held a beautiful translucent light blue stone with white rings around them. “These are called Sajilo stones and they contain the magic of this forest. With them your travels will go effortlessly. Call them easy stones. And remember, when you carry them and trust, they will lead you,” she smiled looking Kristen and Tah in the eye.
“Thank you,” Tahendra said wide eyed.
“I will treasure this,” Kris said. “I’ll be back soon. You have my word.” He turned to Ivy and nodded, then held Sylvia’s eyes. Kris turned to Tah, “Do you know I have a nephew your age? You’ll be great friends.” He smiled.
“I like friends,” Tahendra said. She threw her head back and smiled at Kris.
“Me too,” Kris said. Then he looked to Sylvia and Ivy again. “I can’t wait to come back here and spend more time with my new friends.”
“You are welcome anytime. And there is always a place for you to stay,” Sylvia said. Ivy nodded.
Chapter 11
Kelne, known as Mr. Kelly on Earth, stood with Kris, Tahendra, and Jaime in the living room of Jaime’s house. They were the only one’s home. Kelne wore his Earth business suit and waited for his good friend Sue to arrive.
Mr. Kelly concealed his hand gesture and brought an array of foods to the dining-room table. “Would you like a snack?”
Jaime and Tahendra turned to one another, then raced to the dining-room table. They tied and giggled loudly.
“I like this arrangement already,” Kelne said to Kris, who was also nodding enthusiastically. �
�This is going to be good for all involved.”
Sue walked up the front steps as if she owned the house. She loved working as a realtor on Earth and kept track of property in case safe houses were needed for Kalendrians. She and Kelne had known each other for years. She knew he brought his grandniece to visit, and she’d agreed to take care of Tahendra for a while.
As she stood on the porch of Jaime’s house, Kelne walked outside and bowed deeply, his hands in prayer. She greeted him in the same way.
“I am so grateful you’ve arrived. Please, I’d love to introduce you to my grandniece Tahendra, also known as Tah, and my good friend Kris Campbell. They are inside.” The two walked through the door as Jaime was walking to the kitchen. “That is Jaime, Kris’s nephew. It is my greatest wish that Jaime and Tahendra grow up almost as siblings,” Kelne said quietly so he wouldn’t be overheard.
Sue nodded. “Oh, I would love to make that happen. I’d love to raise your grandniece.” She looked across the street and pointed at the modest house with a For Sale sign outside. Sue nodded toward it. “I’ll secure that one.” She smiled. “This will be a charming place to live.”
“We will need her back,” Kelne said, “When she turns seventeen and can claim all her powers. Eleven years ought to be long enough for her deeds to be forgotten. And if it’s not, then we truly will need all her strength. Her parents will be grateful to hear where she’s living, and relieved to know she’s in good hands. Sylvia’s letting them know.”
Sue nodded. “Excellent.”
“Jaime and Tahendra, will you please come with me?” Kelne walked across the living room and over to the fireplace. Then he knelt facing the two six-year-olds. “We have business to attend to, Tahendra, and that is why I brought you here.”
Jaime looked over at his uncle Kris, who nodded and winked. Jaime smiled back at his uncle, then turned to face Kelne.
“This is a very ceremonious occasion for all of us. You see, today is the day that you two become siblings in Kalendra. That’s where Tah is from. Uncle Kris will also be Tahendra’s uncle in Kalendra. She will live with Sue in her new home. Look, just across the street.”
Tahendra and Jaime looked across the street, and Kelne raised his small crystal. It flashed, and per his request, Jaime and Tahendra now believed she’d always lived across the street.
“Jaime, I need to ask you to take care of Tahendra—you know, teach her how to get around and how to deal with things like school when it starts. It would be so kind of you to take her under your wing,” Kelne said.
Jaime nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been to school. All my brothers already went. I know where things are.” He turned to Tahendra. “I can show you,” she nodded.
“I’ll make sure they’re in the same classes,” Sue said to Kris.
“Really? You can do that?” Jaime said.
Sue nodded. “You guys are golden,” she said.
“Before I go,” Kelne said, “I need everyone to stand in a circle and hold hands. He raised his staff, and the room went dark except for a single light on each of their faces. “I have some important announcements.”
Everyone looked at him and nodded.
“As painful as it was to take Tah from her loving home, I know she is here for the good of mankind. She is one powerful moon child; unlike any I have known. For your safety, Tahendra, I must respectfully eliminate all your Kalendrian memories. They will come back in time, once you return, and I am certain you are safe. I promise. But they will not serve you on Earth, and they may not serve for quite some time upon your return. I take into my crystal your moon memories and the memories of your early childhood. I am so sorry, my grandniece.” In a flash her memories were stored in his crystal staff for her safety. Kelne wiped a tear from his cheek, not wanting to face the loneliness his family would have without his beloved Tah. He took a deep breath.
“Sue, thank you so much for your dedication and loving spirit as her mother on Earth, to steer her in the right direction. I’m glad you know what skills she’ll need in Kalendra when she returns.”
Sue bowed her head and nodded. “I’m so glad I can help,” she said. “This will be my pleasure. I like Jaime too. It’s good.”
“Kris Campbell, you are a fine man. You have a fine nephew. I wish for you to always feel welcome in Kalendra and visit often. I would love for you to tell Jaime and Tahendra stories of your travels in my world—you know, fables and fairy tales, so people don’t know it’s real.
“Again, I must apologize. While I wish you to remember how to return to Kalendra and the travels you had on your trip, you cannot know about Tahendra’s arrival here, and I remove those memories now.” Kelne’s crystal flashed. “She has always been Jaime’s neighbor, as far as you know. You do not know I came here or that this ceremony will make them siblings when they return to Kalendra. I fear they’ll need the lifelong ties a family provides for the work they’ll have ahead.” The crystal flashed again.
“Jaime,” Kelne turned to the young man, “you remember Tahendra as your best friend forever, just as she remembers you. You and she will come to Kalendra together one day, I hope, as tourists. And I hope I won’t need your assistance for an exceptionally long time. You don’t remember more than meeting me with Uncle Kris.” Kelne’s crystal flashed.
The lights in the room were restored. Kelne was gone. Kris went to the kitchen to get some ice cream for Jaime, Tahendra, and Sue. They all sat on the front porch together.
“I’m thinking about getting a cabin in the woods, out by the coast. What do you think of that idea, Jaime?” Kris asked.
“Yes, yes!” Jaime said.
“I have a listing out there,” Sue said. “It’s a wonderful stone cabin, right near Kelne’s portal to Kalendra,” Sue said, and she winked at Kris.
“You’ve got this all figured out,” Kris said.
Sue nodded.
Thank you for reading my books!
I hope you enjoyed my book. If you did, I would appreciate it if you could write a quick review. It helps me tremendously as it is one of the main factors’ readers consider when buying a book.
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Barbara
About the Author
Barbara Ferrier is the author of the four-book series, Kalendra Chronicles, ready for release spring 2021.
Her first career was producing television in LA. She also made a film in rural Nepal, while trekking through the Himalayan foothills.
The fictional world of Kalendra was created by painting the fantasy world’s locations, characters, and props. To build her skills, Barbara taught drawing in her kid’s classrooms, eventually teaching hundreds of kids.
www.barbaraferrier.com
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Instagram: @barbaraferrier
Summon the Elven Mage Page 6